Curving an Object

[currie]

Hi there,

I'm trying to curve an object around its origin (middle point) - it is a text message (converted to curves) that I want to curve into a "u" shape. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to curve the entire object! I have tried combining, breaking apart, everything!

Any help greatly appreciated,

- Ryan

 

[cobrien11]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you can do this with the 'Interactive Envelope' tool.

 

[attrofy]

If you take the text before it is converted to curves, you can fit it to a path, in you case a circle, or half circle. Once it is curves, it is being treated as any other object, or group of objects, and looses it's ability to act as a whole (object). You would have to apply the same techniques as if you were trying to bend three squares into a semicircle. I agree that the envelope tool should get you there, but this may provide a faster alternative if you don't have to convert the text to curves.

 

[currie]

Thanks, I figured it out! My next question is:

I want to "grow" an object so that I can layer a smaller version of the object on top of the larger object with a perfectly even border around it (I'm cutting these images in vinyl, so simply using the outline tool wont work). Is there a way to expand the edges of the image this way?

Thanks again!


- Ryan

 

[Bgal]

If i understand correctly....

In corel 9 and 10 select both objects and go to Arrange>Align and Distribute> and select centre and centre for the vertical and horizontal allignment.

Hope it helps

 

[currie]

Bgal,

That would allow me to center them, yes, but thats not what I need to do (I have to do that by hand when I cut the two objects independently in 2 different colors). I need to know how to make one proportionately bigger than the other so that when I do overlay them, there is a perfectly even border around each letter (essentially the same idea as having a border around the object, but as I mentioned, I cannot use a border because it will not cut to the plotter. I need to "grow" the object somehow).

Any thoughts? Thanks for your reply!


- Ryan

 

[cobrien11]

Ryan,

I can think of two ways to do this. either use the 'Contour' tool or, with the object selected go arrange/convert outline to object (ctrl+shift+q).

With the contour tool you can add outlines or inlines and they are objects themselves. If you use Convert outline to object you will get 3 objects, the original, an outline and an inline. you would have to delete the middle (origional) one. I think it's quicker and easier to convert it but thats just me.

Hope that helps.

How do you cut from Draw? or do you export to another program like Signlab?

 

[currie]

Cobrien11,

I copy and paste the objects from CorelDRAW into Signlab and cut them from there. I'm pretty new to all this (as you have probably gathered!), and the company I bought the equipment from was supposed to provide me with software that integrated directly with Draw, as I have seen some other companies use. Unfortunately...


- Ryan

 

[attrofy]

There is a publication called A&E (Arts and Engraving). It is awsome for engravers and vinyl signmakers. I sold our business about 5 years ago, and at the time, there was tons of software coming on the market that did exactly what you are trying to do. Some used Corel and created a plugin of sorts. If you aren't familiar with the magazine do a search on google, it will turn up. It would be worth checking a copy (they'll probably send you a free issue). If you need more info, I'll see if I can find an old issue and let you know who the publisher is.